Esperine
PearEsperine
Origin / History
Raised by Van Mons from an undated seed bed; first reported in 1826 and dedicated to Major Espéren, the enthusiastic and distinguished pomologist of Mechlin (also referred to as Malines — both names for the same Belgian city, Mechelen). The variety is listed in Annales de Pomologie Belge 4:73 (1856).
Tree
Vigorous and productive. (Downing; Hedrick provides no tree description.)
Fruit
Size and Form: Large. Downing describes the form as pyriform; Hedrick describes it as obtuse-ovate.
Stem: Medium length, set with a lip or inclined. (Downing; Hedrick does not describe the stem.)
Cavity: Not described in source.
Calyx: Open, with short, half-erect segments. (Downing; Hedrick does not describe the calyx.)
Basin: Not described in source.
Skin: Both sources agree on a ground color of greenish yellow (Hedrick: yellow with a greenish tinge). The sun-exposed side is described differently: Downing gives it as red; Hedrick as clouded with tender rose. Russet markings are present on both accounts but differ in character: Downing describes the fruit as shaded and specked with cinnamon russet; Hedrick describes it as much dotted with greenish-gray-russet.
Flesh and Flavor: White. Downing characterizes the texture as buttery and melting; Hedrick as semi-melting — a mild conflict. Both agree on abundant juice (Downing: very juicy; Hedrick: full of juice). Downing describes the flavor as sweet; Hedrick as sugary, vinous, refreshing, and perfumed.
Quality: Good to very good (Downing); first quality (Hedrick).
Core / Seeds: Not described in source.
Season
October (Downing). October and November (Hedrick).
Uses
Not described in source.
Subtypes / Variants
Not described in source.
Other
Downing's entry carries the notation (S. V. M.), indicating the description derives from the Société Van Mons or a related Belgian pomological authority. Hedrick's entry cites Downing's earlier Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1869, p. 759) as a prior reference.
Book Sources
Described in 2 period pomological works
Nursery Catalog Sources
Found in 1 catalog (1900)
- Central Experimental Farm , Dominion Department of Agriculture, Agassiz, British Columbia (under test; Bulletin No. 3, Second Series) — 1900
View original book sources (2)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)ESPERINE
This variety originated with Van Mons, and by him was dedicated to Major Esperin, of Malines. Tree vigorous, productive.
Fruit large, pyriform, greenish yellow, red in the sun, and shaded and specked with cinnamon russet. Stalk medium, set with a lip or inclined. Calyx with open, short, half erect segments. Flesh white, buttery, melting, very juicy, and sweet. Good to very good. October. (S. V. M.)
— U.P. Hedrick, The Pears of New York (1921)Esperine.
- Ann. Pom. Belge 4:73, fig. 1856. 2. Downing Fr. Trees Am. 759. 1869.
By Van Mons from an undated seed bed; it was first reported in 1826 and dedicated to Major Espéren, the enthusiastic and distinguished pomologist of Mechlin. Fruit large, obtuse-ovate, yellow with greenish tinge, much dotted with greenish-gray-russet, clouded with tender rose on the side of the sun; flesh white, semi-melting, full of juice, sugary, vinous, refreshing, perfumed; first; Oct. and Nov.